AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB. SECOND DAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1151, 2 May 1912, Page 12

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB. SECOND DAY.

DEAD HEAT IN BIG RACE. The Avondale Jockey Club has achieved well-merited popularity with Auckland racegoers, and it was consequently not surprising that, despite far from favourable weather, their

autumn meeting proved a most successful one. The fields were big, and the racing of a particularly interesting order, while the management of the meeting left nothing to be des red. On Saturday the attendance was good, and as a result speculation was brisk. Although a good deal of money was shut out, through investors crowding round the totalisator at the last'minute, the returns snowed a substantitl increase on the last autumn meeting. ‘ The figures for the two days, as compared with last year, were as follow: — 1911. 1912. £. £. First day . • 11,654% 11,012 Second day 9,6 74 % 17,482 21,329 28,494 On Saturday afternoon the flags on ihe course were lowered to half-mast out of respect for the late Mr James Roulston, the veteran Pukekohe sportsman, who died on Friday last. Despite the very heavy rains that fell on Friday and Saturday morning the track was in very fair order, which speaks well of the excellent work that has been done on it during

the summer. Apart from being a trifle sort and holding, there was nothing to complain of as regards the going. Nine youngsters lined. up for the Nursery Handicap, of which Potoa was made a firm favourite, due to his fine display on the first day; while Lannacost, who came fresh to the fray, was also well supported. The winner, however, turned up in Semolina, an outsider, from Dick Hannon’s stable. As the field passed the stand Potea looked a safe winner,. but the little Gluten filly put in a brilliant spurt from the distance and won nicely. The Flying Handicap proved a good betting race, for of the thirteen contestants Crown Pearl, Salute, Waiowera, and Mighty Atom were all well backed. When it ,fcame to racing, however, Waiowera outclassed her opponents, and with the assistance of Deeley scored an easy victory. Bow Bells, one of the least fancied, came fast at the end, and paid a satisfactory dividend, while earning a number of admirers for her next effort later in the day. Of the fourteen maiden jumpers to contest the hurdle race, Heyboy, a big chestnut, was installed favourite on appearances, while Napenape came next in public favour on account of his exertion on Wednesday. Heyboy was early out with the leaders, and jumped well, but going along the back in the last round he died away badly. Napenape, who played a waiting game, came through at the end, and won comfortably. The little-fancied Pip acted as run-ner-up.

The Autumn Handicap puzzled the punters a good deal, for they had some difficulty in selecting their fancy from the ten well-turned-out candidates. the machine eventually closed St. Amans was at the head of the list, with Gloy, Sea Elf, La Reina, and Royal Soult next in order of favouritism. Sea Pink was early out in form, and with Gloy as a close attendant, acted as pacemaker until the straight was reached, when he faded away and left Gloy and Sea Elf to fight out conclusions. The two came down the straight, bumping one another from side to side, and when the post was reached were practically locked together, and the decision was a dead heat. Although the two jockeys, Stockley and Poulgrain, strained every nerve to win, neither could be said to have shown much horse man ship. Red Lupin went out an odds-on favourite for the Dominion Handicap, and fully justified th*? confidence placed in him. Before half the distance was covered he had a break of a dozen lengths in the field, and eventually won with ease. Bow Bells,, who ran second to Waiowera in the

f-Lying, again earned second money. The steeplechase proved the best betting race of the day, but it also proved a disappointment, because out of ten starters only four negotiated the nrst obstacle successfully. Mildura and Ben Jonson, who started out as pacemakers, both came down, and brought down or stopped Tui Cakobau, Commander, Rebel, and Himakaha, which only left Pleiades, First Barrel, Taiaha, and Hautere to continue the ’chase. Although the field was so reduced it was not robbed of interest, because the last round saw some sea-sawing for supremacy, and it was only when the last jump was cleared that the favourite, Pleiades, could be regarded as a winner. Taiaha tired in the final run home. Of the eighteen horses that started in the Mt. Roskill Handicap, Glenfern was installed a warm favourite, but although he looked a safe winner when the- stand was reached he had to surrender to Ngatimuru, who came with' a great burst of speed from the distance, and snatched victory by half a length. The Waitakere Handicap, with fourteen starters brought the meeting to a close. The race was run in semi-darkness, and resulted in a win for Salute, who was favourite, with Cloudy Dawn, an outsider, second.